1. Statewide Testing 2012 Dropout Prevention Conference

2. Test Security 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 2 For additional information, please contact Lionel Knight, Test Security Coordinator lknight@mde.k12.ms.us or 601-359-3497 lknight@mde.k12.ms.us

3. Low Stakes Assessments –Mississippi Curriculum Test Second Edition (MCT2) –Mississippi Writing Assessment Program (MWAP) Grades 4 and 7 Assessments (phased-out 2012-2013) Statewide Testing 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 3

4. –Low Stakes Assessments –Mississippi Writing Assessment Program (MWAP) English II Writing Assessment will only be administered as a retest to those students who were enrolled in English II prior to the 2012-2013 school year –Mississippi Science Test Second Edition (MST2) Statewide Testing 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 4

5. High Stakes Assessments –Subject Area Testing Program (SATP2) –The English II Writing portion will only be administered to students that were enrolled in English II prior to the 2012-2013 school year. Statewide Testing 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 5

6.  Mississippi Curriculum Test, Second Edition (MCT2) This assessment is administered in grades 3 through 8 annually in May. The MCT2 is designed to meet the federal testing requirements of the NCLB Act of 2001. It also serves as the basis for accountability (AYP) in the grades tested. This is an untimed, multiple-choice assessment that requires students in all grades to bubble in answers. It consists of two tests: Language Arts and Mathematics. Low Stakes Testing (MCT2) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 6

7. Language Arts is broken into two parts: Reading and Writing, and each part is tested on a different day. Students in grades seven and eight are allowed to use a calculator. Students are encouraged to be familiar with using a 12" lead-in edge ruler with English and Metric measurements. Eighth graders are provided a formula chart to use on the Pre-Algebra test. Third and fourth graders will answer 60 LA and 55 math items; fifth and sixth graders will answer 70 LA and 60 math; and seventh and eighth graders will answer 80 LA and 60 math items. Low Stakes Testing (MCT2) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 7

8.  Mississippi Science Test This is a grade-level / multiple choice test administered in grades 5 and 8. The first live administration companion to 2010 Frameworks was administered in May 2011. This assessment will be used for Federal Accountability criteria for the 2011-2012 school year, but will count for Federal and State Accountability criteria for the 2012-2013 school year. Low Stakes Testing (Science) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 8

9. MWAP English II Writing Assessment E/PP/R –This assessment assesses Expository, Position Paper, and/or Response to Literature. ONLY students who were enrolled in English II prior to the 2012-2013 school year will take this assessment on (Blue) MWAP. All students will use the Orange, Green or Blue MDE Writing Assessment. High Stakes Testing (English Writing) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 9

10.  Subject Area Testing Program (SATP) This assessment consists of four academic, end-of- course tests. Since the 2001-2002 school year, students have been required to pass the subject area test(s) as a requirement for graduation. High Stakes Testing (SATP) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 10

11. Students are assessed on the content at the completion of the course in Algebra I, Biology I, English II, and U.S. History. As part of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) ACT 2001 and Title I requirements, all students who are enrolled in Algebra I and English II (multiple-choice only) for the first time must be tested. The scores of all these first-time test takers must be included in the annual report cards and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) calculations to comply with the federal law. High Stakes Testing (SATP) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 11

12.  Mississippi Alternate Assessment of Extended Curriculum Frameworks (MAAECF) This is an alternate assessment designed to assess the educational performance of students in grades 3-8 and 12 with significant cognitive disabilities (SCD) who cannot meaningfully take the Mississippi Curriculum Tests, Mississippi Science Tests, or Mississippi Subject Area Tests, even with accommodations. High Stakes Testing (MAAECF) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 12

13. In general, eligible students are those who have a history of requiring extensive individualized instruction and have been classified as being severely to profoundly cognitively disabled or experience a pervasive developmental disability. The MAAECF focuses on knowledge and skills that offer a more limited range of depth and breadth of content and skills when compared to the grade-level standards, yet still sets high expectations for students with significant cognitive disabilities. High Stakes Testing (MAAECF) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 13

14. 2.If you have former students that were assessed under FLE assessments, we are providing these former students with the opportunity to retake the section/s they need to complete graduations requirements. 3.SATP emergency test administrations will be available for students deemed eligible at Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit. General Information 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 14

15.  National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) This is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. Assessments are conducted periodically in mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, and U.S. history. NAEP assessments are administered uniformly using the same sets of test booklets across the nation. (NAEP) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 15

16. Westat will send teams of assessment administrators to the schools to administer the NAEP assessments. These administrators will be responsible for bringing the test materials to your school, distributing the materials (including pencils and calculators), administering the test, proctoring, collecting the materials, and packing/returning of the materials. NAEP 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 16

17. NAEP provides results on subject-matter achievement, instructional experiences, and school environment for populations of students (e.g., all fourth-graders) and groups within those populations (e.g., female students, Hispanic students). NAEP does NOT provide scores for individual students or schools, although state NAEP can report results by selected large urban districts. NAEP results are based on representative samples of students at grades 4, 8, and 12 for the main assessments, or samples of students at ages 9, 13, or 17 years for the long-term trend assessments. (NAEP) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 17

18. These grades and ages were chosen because they represent critical junctures in academic achievement. The Commissioner of Education Statistics, who heads the National Center for Education Statistics in the U.S. Department of Education, is responsible by law for carrying out the NAEP project. (NAEP) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 18

19. These assessments follow the frameworks developed by the National Assessment Governing Board, and use the latest advances in assessment methodology. Each subject is assessed at grades 4, 8, and 12- although not all grades are assessed each time. (NAEP) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 19

20. In compliance with §37-3-2, Mississippi Code 1972, Annotated, as amended by Mississippi Laws 1997, Ch. 545, the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development and the State Board of Education have approved guidelines for licensure. Updates—Code of Ethics 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 20

21. Procedures for Reporting Infractions Under Section 37-3-2 of the Mississippi Code (1972) Annotated ( Revised 2011) Section II. Superintendents of Education: Each superintendent of a public school must report to MDE infractions committed under sections of the Mississippi Code cited in Section I of these procedures. Superintendents shall adhere to the following procedures: Updates—Code of Ethics 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 21

22. a.Submit an initial report on all certified/licensed employees no later than October 1 of each school year (Appendix B). b.After the initial report, submit reports on employees as knowledge of offenses occurs. c.Such reports shall be submitted within 10 days of notification of an offense (Appendix C). d.The license holder knowingly and willfully committing any of the acts affecting validity of mandatory uniform test results as provided in Section 37-16-4 (1), Mississippi Code of 1972. Updates—Code of Ethics 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 22

23. Section III – What Should Be Reported (3) Violations of the Mississippi Educator Code of Ethics Violations of Standard 9 (Maintenance of Confidentiality) that affect the validity of mandatory uniform test results as provided in Section 37-16-4 (1) The Commission on Educator Licensure has the authority to revoke license pursuant to the authority granted in Section 37-16-4, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended. Updates—Code of Ethics 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 23

24.  Audits At least one school from every school district will be audited each year. Some districts may be audited several times in a school year. Test audits are conducted to observe the following: storage and distribution of secure materials, distribution and preparation for test, adequacy of the testing environment, process and procedures for the test administration, inventory and return of materials, and any other relevant occurrences. Test Security 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 24

25.  Audits All auditors receive training before they are allowed to conduct on site visits. Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards 2012, Appendix F is available on the web at http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/docs/accreditation- library/accountability-standards-2012.pdf?sfvrsn=2 Test Security 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 25

26. 1.There must be two people present at all times (before, during, or after testing with secure materials); the MDE auditor is not considered as one of the two people. 2.Staff members should not break the seal on test booklets. 3.Any person involved in any phase of testing must be trained in appropriate assessment administration and test security procedures. 4.Do not attempt to make a list of questions from the test. Lessons Learned (Before Testing) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 26

27. 6.Secure test materials must not be reproduced or distributed to school staff (At least one person has surrendered a license for violations that took place in 2008-2009.) 7.School staff must verify the correct number of test booklets needed for test administration prior to the day of testing. 8.Verify that you use the correct answer documents. 9.It is strongly recommended that teachers who teach a subject area test course do NOT administer the subject area test for the content they teach. 10.This recommendation is for the protection of the teacher, students, and the school. Lessons Learned (Before Testing) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 27

28. 1.Make sure tests are administered according to the published testing schedule. 2.If you administer tests in large settings, make sure you do not have too many students under one test administrator and proctor. (The MDE recommended ratio is 25 to 2.) 3.Students should not sit too close to each other during test administrations. (This situation also leads to issues when districts are responding to an OSA-mandated investigation!) 4.All subject-relevant charts in the testing room must be removed or covered up. 5.Do not provide non-allowable accommodations during testing. Lessons Learned (During Testing) 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 28

29. 6.Make sure you provide all allowable accommodations and/or allowable supplemental tools during testing. 7.Do not coach students (with words, gestures, movements or strategic throat clearing). 8.You must have hall monitors in place when testing. 9.School staff cannot hand out scratch paper with answers, formulas, or anything else written on them during testing. 10.Anyone involved in handling secure test materials must adhere to all test security procedures. 11.Make sure students receiving the read-aloud accommodation receive the correct test form. 12.Possession of Cell phones is not allowable for students or teachers during test administrations. Test Security 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 29

30. 15.Process Standard from the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards, 2010 states that the school district employ an appropriately licensed full-time principal at each school. {MS Code 37-9-7, 37-9-15, and 37-19-1(c)} {Full time means no other assigned school districts duties such as Coaching, Head Coach, Director of Athletics, Curriculum Coordinator, District Test Coordinator, 21st Century Grant, etc.}* 16.The Principal shall NOT be the STC. General Information 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 30

31. Nearly every state in the nation is working individually and collectively to improve its academic standards and assessments to ensure students graduate with the knowledge and skills most demanded by college and careers The Common Core State Standards in English language arts/literacy and mathematics were created by educators around the nation The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) Common Core 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 31

32. While the Common Core State Standards are a critical first step, they alone will not bring about the instructional changes necessary to improve student achievement and attainment. Creating common assessments grounded in common standards is the logical next step and will ensure the new standards truly reach every classroom Common Core 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 32

33. I think we will all agree that the current system is broken. Every state develops their own assessments and for that reasons our nation’s assessments: Are of varying quality and rigor and rarely point toward College- and Career-Readiness. Do not provide meaningful, real-time data for our educators, parents and policymakers Cannot be compared from state to state, ensuring that students in Mass. And Miss. are receiving the same foundation Common Core 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 33

34. Next generation assessments will: Provide a more complete picture of student performance against college- and career-ready expectations Use current and future technologies to provide a meaningful assessment and useful data Mitigate Challenges associated with mobility—which is a major challenge in education Common Core 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 34

35. U.S Department of Education set aside $350 million of Race to the Top funding for awards to consortia of states to design and develop common K-12 assessment systems aligned to common, college- and career-ready standards. In Sept. 2010, the U.S. Department of Education awarded grants to the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Common Core 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 35

36. Please follow all Test Security Procedures and be vigilant in your procedures. Let’s have a super smooth year! Test Security 2012 DOP ConferenceMDE – Statewide Testing 36